CHILDHOOD, BOYHOOD AND YOUTH

impossible to take the photograph. No power of persuasion
had any effect, and the attempt to photograph the family
had to be abandoned. The following day, however, his
mother took Douglas alone to the photographer's, and by
means of a promise that he should be allowed to hold a
favourite pistol, the photograph was successfully taken.

His mother was constantly making efforts to induce
Douglas "to be a good boy", but it must be admitted that
the child did not always respond to them. When he was
very small the family moved to Lee Park, Blackheath, and
it was there that Douglas was given a drum on which his
mother had written, "Douglas Haig, i Lee Park, Black-
heath. Sometimes a good boy." He was very proud of this
drum, and would carry it about quite oblivious to the
amusement of those who occasionally stopped him and
read the inscription. She also gave him a handkerchief on
which she wrote, as a further encouragement to be good,
"Douglas Haig. A good boy." The drum was lost, but the
handkerchief, and many letters written by his mother, and
her Bible and Prayer Book were treasured and kept by
Douglas all his life. It was probably because he was so
difficult to manage, and yet so obviously adored his mother,
•that she showered upon him her affection and attention.
Even in those very early days, while he was wilfully disobey-
ing her, he seemed to realise her devotion to him, and there
is plenty of evidence to show that he was often anxious jo
please her.

Just before he went to his first school, his mother, a
deeply religious woman, was instilling into his young mind
the love of all things that were beautiful and of good
report. From her he received that early religious teaching
the influence of which was to remain with him all his life,
and be in many hours of trial and difficulty a source of
inexhaustible strength.

The following continues Brother John's account:

ii